Starmer says country ‘ sleepwalking into a bleak winter’

WARNING

LABOUR LEADER Sir Keir Starmer has warned that the country faces a “sleepwalk into a long and bleak winter” if a short national lockdown is not imposed by the Government.

In a press conference yesterday Sir Keir said the Government did not have a credible plan for fighting coronavirus, and that without a so- called “circuit- breaker” lockdown, such as that recommended by scientists advising Government, deaths would continue to rise.

He said Mr Johnson was “no longer following the scientific advice” by proposing “far less stringent restrictions” than suggested by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage).

Sir Keir said: “There’s no longer time to give the Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt. The Government’s plan simply isn’t working. Another course is needed.”

He said schools must stay open but that all pubs, bars and restaurants should be closed during the circuit- breaker, while firms are compensated so that “no business loses out” in order to “break the cycle” of infection.

“If we don’t, we could sleepwalk into a long and bleak winter.

“That choice is now for the Prime Minister to make. I urge him to do so,” Sir Keir said.

Sir Keir said the national lockdown would “reverse” rising infection rates and allow ministers to “rectify” some of their mistakes by handing over test and trace to local authorities.

But the Labour leader acknowledged it would “require significant sacrifices” including curbs on household mixing and a ban on all but essential work and travel.

Amid increasing unrest with lockdown restrictions on the Tory backbenches, Sir Keir said Labour would support the Government in voting for the measure to stop him needing to “balance the needs of your party against the national interest”.